The last two years of my life have taken an exciting turn as some of my dreams as a young brown boy growing up in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, have really come true. I was no stranger to imagination as a child, but there was one thing that fascinated me way more than anything, and that was travel. I dreamed of getting on planes, running late for trains and hopping into taxis, just like I saw in my favorite movies and television shows.
At the top of 2016, in an effort to create realistic New Year’s resolutions, I vowed to visit every state in The United States. I mean, why not? I was born and raised in America, Who said I needed to stick to a few states and never visit the others? In order to do that though, I’d needed to do it in a way that would factor in my busy work schedule. Oxymoron right? I thought so too, until I found the best solution imaginable, Amtrak.
I represent the social generation and just happen to have a job that relies on the pulse of social media. So I can’t afford to take many pauses in my line of work. A few hours away from social media can result in missing breaking news and reporting it in a timely manner. Hopping on a plane can be a nightmare if the Wi-Fi isn’t working properly, not to mention the extra cost considering the fact that plane tickets are not cheap.
Amtrak was my ride of choice when I made my first visit to Washington D.C., and I couldn’t forget the supreme luxury and comfort of the quiet car (I’ll get to that in a second), oh, and did I mention no traffic? So now I had my sites set on discovering my next state, Massachusetts. Specifically, Boston. Best known for fish & chips, the Freedom Trail and “Cheers”, among other things, I was ready to add another notch to my belt, Amtrak style.
All aboard! Business Class!
I took my best friend, Harlem, who had also never been to Boston with me to enjoy the festivities. He’s a head chef at a busy Manhattan eatery and could have used some relaxation just as much as me! The boarding process was effortless. My tickets were scanned quickly, and I wasn’t asked again for the remainder of the trip. I couldn’t have asked for a better seat, because there is NO MIDDLE SEAT! The overhead compartment was perfect for our overnight carry-ons. And I couldn’t recline fast enough! The legroom was reminiscent of the space I’m use to in the comfort section of my favorite airline. I can’t tell you how priceless that is. The ride was smooth, the sights were so lovely they distracted me from my computer a few times (the complimentary Wi-Fi was very speedy might I add), and I took advantage of the café car on my arriving and departing trains. I must mention that the wine and cheese basket was amazing, and put me in the mood to catch a quick much needed nap before I returned to NYC.
How was Boston, you asked? Clean as a whistle. I didn’t get fish & chips, but I did take in some authentic tacos that were absolutely scrumptious! I stayed at the Boston Wyatt Waterfront, luxuriated in the Jacuzzi, and took a few walks on the waterfront. Because I was able to get some work done on the way there, I was able to unplug, which was priceless.
I’m super excited for my next state, as Amtrak will definitely be my travel choice. I already have my heart set on the quiet car in business class, but #staytuned for that adventure!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Amtrak, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that make our blog possible.
-Stay Fly!